Closure operator



Nov. 5, 1935.

R. c. osGooD CLOSURE OPERATOR Filed June 27, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet v1 lie/6M 2040: 9 fda/ 6055100117. 44

a A@ 4W,... 9 dii@ Nov. 5, 1935. R. c. osGooD GLOSURE OPERATOR 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed June 27, 1953 Patented Nov. 5, 1935 PATENTA OFFICE aoiasoz oLosUnE OPERATOR Robert C. Osgood, Claremont, N. B., asslgnor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application June z'z, 1933, serial No. 611,884

16 Claims.

This invention relates to chute closure operating means, and more particularly to improvements in a gate operator for controlling the flow of loose material, such as coal, from a chute into a. mine car or other suitable receptacle.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved closure operating means for a coal chute. Another object is to provide an improved gate operator for swinging the hinged gate of a chute into closed position. A further object is to provide an improved gate controlling means actuated by a pneumatically operated motor. Still another object is to provide an improved gate operator whereby the gate may be positively closed and held closed against the weight of the coal in the chute. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there are shown, for purposes of illustration, two forms which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating the preferred form of the improved gate operating means.

Fig. 2 is a front lelevational view of the gate operating means shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the actuating motor for the gate operating means.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modied form of construction.

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of the gate operating means shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a longitudinal section through the actuating motor for the gate operating means.

-Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 7.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. l to 4, inclusive, there is shown a gate operating means, generally designated I, comprising a frame member 2 mounted on a base plate 3, the frame member having a portion 4 extending vertically from the base and a lateral portion 5 adapted to engage blocking at the side of the mine entry. Formed on the base plate 3 are upstanding portions 6, 6 adapted to receive a pin 1 forming a horizontal pivotal mounting for one end of a. gate actuating motor 8. The motor 8 is herein of the cylinder and piston type and comprises a cylinder 9 having top and bottom cylinder heads III and Il, and the cylinder 9 and heads I0 and II are yieldably held in assembled relation by suitable side rods I2 maintained under tension by side rod springs I3 engaging the top head, as shown In Fig. 4. Mounted within the cylinder 9 for longitudinal reclprocation is a piston I4 having a piston rod I5 extending upwardly through a suitable 6 stumng box I6 carried by the top head I0. 'I'his piston rod extends upwardly through an opening in the upper lateral frame portion 5 and has suitably threadedly connected thereto at its upper end a pivot connection I1 which receives one end 10 of an arm I8 of a bell-crank lever I9. 'Ihis bellcrank lever is pivotally mountedl at 20 on the upper end and between the sides of the vertical frame portion 4 to swing on an axis parallel with the axis of swinging movement of the motor l5 cylinder and in the planes of swinging movement of the motor cylinder. In the present construction, the other arm 2I of the bell-crank lever is pivotally connected at 22 to the lower end oi a strut or prop member in the form of a link 23, 20 which is in turn pivotally connected at its upper end ai; 24 to a hinged gate 25. This gate is hinged at 26 to the bottom of a coal chute, generally designated 21, and forms, when in its uppermost position, a closure for thev discharge 25 end of the chute. The cylinder 9 has suitable iiuid connections 28 and 29 at the opposite ends thereof which connect with a four-way valve, which may be of any usual design, located be tween the motor and some suitable source of 30 actuating iiuid supply. As shown in Fig. 1, the coal chute 21 overhangs the mine wall, and when the gate `25 is swung downwardly into its open position', the chute discharges into a mine car 30, llor other suitable receptacle, supported on a mine 35 trackway 3l laid on the mine iioor. It will thus be seen that the improved Operating means is arranged in an extremely compact manner in the relatively narrow space between the mine track and the mine wall directly beneath the over- 40 hanging end of the coal chute.

In the modied form of the invention shown in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, there is shown a frame 33 adapted to rest on planking laid on vthe mine door adjacent the mine wall in a direction par- 45 allel with the trackway and having mounted therein a horizontally disposed motor 34 of a construction similar to the motor 8 and comprising a horizontal cylinder 35 which receives a reciprocable piston 36 having a piston rod 31. 50 'Ihe outer end of the piston rod is threadedly connected to a member 38 which carries rollers 39 which are mounted to roll along a horizontal guideway 40 formed in the supporting frame 33 for guiding the piston rod during its travel. 'Ihe 5 5 member 38 also carries a longitudinal pin 4I forming a pivotal mounting for a member 42, in turn plvotally connected by a transverse pin 43 to a member 44. The elements 4I, 42, 43 and 44 cooperate to form a universal connection between the member 38 and the lower end of a tubular rod 45 to which the element 44 is secured. 'I'he rod 45 is telescopically arranged within a tubular rod 46 and the members 45 and 46 are provided with a series of openings 41 arranged longitudinally thereof for receiving a locking pin 48 so that the members 45, 46, which together form a strut, can be adjusted longitudinally relative to each other. 'I'he upper end of the member 46 has telescopically arranged therein a rod 49 having a similar series of openings and a similar locking pin, and the upper end of the rod 49 has secured thereto a member 50 pivotally connected by a pin 5I to a member 52. The member 52 is pivotally connected to a gate 25 by a pin 53 arranged at right angles to the pin 5|, and the members 50, 5I, 52 and 53 cooperate to form a universal connection between the upper rod 49 and the hinged gate 25 of the loading chute 21. The cylinder 35 has suitable uid connections 55 and 56 at the opposite ends thereof which connect with a four-way valve located between the motor and a suitable source of actuating uid supply. It will thus be seen that this form of the improved gate operating means is extremely compact, the actuating means being arranged closely adjacent the mine wall in the relatively narrow space between the mine track and mine wall and in part beneath the discharge end of the loading chute.

The operation of the improved gate operating means disclosed in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, is as follows: When it is desired to discharge the material from the chute 21, the gate 25 is swung downwardly into its open position, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. To eifect opening of the gate, the operator manipulates the fourway valve to admit pressureiluid through the connection 28 to the upper end of the motor cylinder above the actuating piston I4, and to vent the space below the piston, and as a result the piston I4 is moved downwardly in the cylinder, swinging the arm 2i of the bell-crank I9 in a downward direction and moving the link 23 toits dotted line position shown in Fig. 1. 'I'he motor 8 is pivotally mounted, and as the bell-crank swings about its pivot, the motor likewise swings about its pivot, thereby providing extremely flexible operating means. The link 23, which is attached to the gate 25, is pulled downwardly upon downward movement of the piston, thus swinging the gate about its hinge 26 into its open position. When a suflicient amount of material has been discharged from the coal chute into the mine car, the four-way valve is manipulated to a position to supply pressure iiuid through the connection 29 to the lower end of the cylinder beneath the actuating piston I4, while the upper end of the cylinder is vented to atmosphere; and as a result the piston I4 is moved upwardly, moving with it the piston rodi I5, which swings the bell-crank lever I9 about its pivot to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, and moving the link 23 into a position to close the gate 25 against the weight of the material in the chute. The pivotal connection 22 of the bell-crank with the link moves past the plane which includes the pivotal axes 24 and 20, and the gate is thereby positively held in closed position with the piston engaging the upper motor head.

In the operation of the modied construction shown in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, when it is desired to open the gate 25 and the parts are in 5 the full line position shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the operator admits pressure fluid through the connection 56 and connects 55 to the atmosphere, to eiect movement of the piston 3B in the rearward direction, thereby moving the strut 45, 46, 49 into an inclined position, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 6, the gate at that time being swung downwardly in its open position, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5. When it is desired to eiect closure of the gate, the con- 15 nection 56 is vented to atmosphere and pressure uid is admitted through the connection 55 to the rearend of the cylinder to eiect forward movement of the piston, thereby sliding the guide rollers along the guideway 48 to move the strut 20 into the substantially vertical position, as indicated in full lines in Fig. 6, the strut moving slightly past vertical center, with the piston 36 engaging the front cylinder head, thereby locking the gate in its closed position. The universal 25 connections at the opposite ends of the strut prevent binding of the parts during movement thereof into the different positions.

It will thus be seen that there is provided an improved chute closure operating means of a il()v simple and compact form, which may be positively opened and closed by power and at the will of the operator and held in closed position against the weight of the material in the chute.

It will further be noted that the improved gate 35 operating means are, in both forms of the invention, of an extremely simple, rugged and compact form which may be arranged beneath the coal chute in the extremely restricted quarters in a coal mine and in the relatively narrow space between the mine track and tHe mine w-all, and directly beneath the overhanging end of the chute. These and other uses and advantages of the improved gate operating means will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art. 45

While I have in this application specifically described two forms which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms are shown for purposes of illustration only, and that the invention may be modified 50 and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

WhatI claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a chute closure operating means, a chute closure member, and adjusting means for said chute closure member to move the closure member into its open or closed position including a frame, relatively movable power actuating ele- 60 ments carried by the frame, and adjustable connections operatively connected to the closure member and actuated by the power actuating elements upon relative movement of the latter and including a connecting member disposable 65 in a substantially vertical position below said chute closure member to form a rigid prop between said closure member and said frame for maintaining said closure member in closed position.

2. In a chute closure operating means, a chute closure member, and adjusting means for said chute closure member to move the closure member into its open or closed position including a frame, relatively movable power actuating eleu ments carried by the frame, adjustable connections operatively connected to the closure member and actuated by the power actuating elements upon relative movement of the latter and including a connecting member disposable in a substantially vertical position below said chute closure member to form a rigid prop between said closure member and said frame for maintaining said closure member in closed position, and operator controlled means for eiiecting actuation of the power actuating elements in either direction.

3. In a chute closure operating means, an adjustable chute closure, and chute closure adjusting means to move the closure into open or closed position including a frame, relatively reciprocable cylinder and piston elements mounted on said frame, and adjustable connections operatively connected to the piston and actuated thereby, said adjustable connections including a connecting member disposable in a substantially vertical position below said chute closure to form a rigid prop between said chute closure and said frame for maintaining said chute closure in closed position.

4. In a chute closure operating means, an adjustable chute closure, and chute closure adjusting means to move the closure into open or closed position including a frame, relatively reciprocable cylinder and piston elements mounted on said fr-ame, adjustable connections operatively connected to the piston and actuated thereby, said adjustable connections including a connecting member disposable in a substantially vertical position below said chute closure to form a rigid propping strut between said chute closure and said frame for m-aintaining said chute closure in closed position, and operator controlled means for eiecting movement of the piston in the cylinder in either direction.

5. In a chute closure operating means, a swingable chute closure, and operating means for said chute closure including a support, a cylinder carried by said support, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder, a pivoted lever operated by said piston, and connections between said lever and chute closure and including a connecting member disposable in a substantially vertical position below said chute closure to form a rigid prop between said chute closure and s-aid support for maintaining said chute closure in closed position.

6. In a chute closure operating means, a swingable chute closure, and operating means for said chute closure including a support, a cylinder carried by saidsupport, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder, a bell-crank pivotally mounted on said support and actuated by said piston, and connections between said'bell-crank and said chute closure forming, when said chute closure is in closed position, a rigid prop between said closure and said support.

7. In a chute closure operating means, a swingable chute closure, and operating means for said chute closure including a support, a cylinder carried by said support, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder, a bell-crank pivot-ally mounted on said support and actuated by said piston, and connections comprising a link between said bell-crank and said chute closure, said link, when said chute closure is in closed position, forming a rigid prop between said chute closure and said support.

8. In a chute closure operating means, a swingable chute closure, and operating means for said chute closure including a support, a cylinder pivotally mounted on said support, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder, a lever pivotally mounted on said support and to which said piston is pivotally connected, and a. pivoted link connection between said lever and said chute closure and forming, when said chute closure is in closed position, a rigid propping strut between said chute 5 closure and said support.

9. In a chute closure operating means, a swingable chute closure, and operating means for said chute closure including a support, a cylinder plvctally mounted on said support, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder, a bell-crank pivotally mounted on said support and to which said piston is pivotally connected, and a pivoted link connection between said bell-crank and said chute closure and forming, when said chute closure is in closed position, a rigid prop between said chute closure and said support.

Y 10. In a chute closure operating means, a swingable chute closure, and operating means for said chute closure including a support, a cylinder pivotally mounted on said support, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder, a bell-crank. pivotally mounted on said support and to which said piston is pivotally connected, and a pivoted link connection between said bell-crank and said chute closure, said bell-crank and cylinder being pivoted to swing on parallel axes and in the same planes, said cylinder swinging about its pivot during swinging thereby of said bell-crank.

11. In a chute closure operating means, an adjustable chute closure, and chute closure adjusting means including a frame, a cylinder carried by said frame, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder, means for supplying uid to the ends of said cylinder to eiect reciprocation of said piston in either direction, and adjustable connections between said piston and said chute closure, said connections being movable into a position to lock said chute closure in its closed position and including a connecting member movable into a substantially vertical position beneath the chute closure for maintaining the latter in closed position.

12. In a chute closure operating means, an adjustable chute closure, and chute closure adjusting means including a frame, a cylinder carried by said 4,5

' tween said piston and said chute closure, said 50 connections being movable into a position to lock said chute closure in its closed position and including a strut movable into a substantially vertical position beneath the chute closure.

13. In a chute closure operating means, a chute closure member, and adjusting means for said chute closure member to move the closure member into its open or closed position including a frame, relatively movable power actuating elements car` ried by said frame and adjustable connections operatively connected to said closure member and actuated by said power actuating elements upon relative movement of the latter, said adjustable connections including an elongated link member pivotally connected at one end to said chute closure member and at its opposite end to an element operatively connected to one of said power actuating elements, said link forming, when said chute closure member is in closed position, a rigid propping strut between said chute closure member and said frame.

14. In a chute closure operating means, a chute closure member, and adjusting means for said chute closure member to move the closure member into its open or closed position including a frame, 'il

relative movement of the latter, said adjustable` connections including an elongated link member pivotally connected at one end to said chute closure member and at its opposite end to an element operatively connected to one of said power actuating elements, said link member when in position to maintain said chute closure in closed position being disposed directly below said chute closure in a substantially vertical position.

15. In a chute closure operating means, a chiite closure member, a. frame, a cylinder on said frame, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder and having a piston rod, and link means having pivotal connection with said closure member and an element connected to said piston rod, said frame resting member into connection with the latter and forming, when said chute closure member is in closed position, a rigid propping strut between said chute closure member and said frame.'

16. In a chute closure operating means, a chute 5 closure member, `a frame, a cylinder on said frame, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder and having a piston rod, and link means having pivotal connection with said closure member and an element connected'to said piston rod, said frame w resting on the door below the chute and said link means extending upwardly and beneath said closure member into connection with the latter and forming, when said chute closure member is in closed position, a rigid propping strut between 15 said chute closure member and said frame for maintaining said closure member closed against the action of the load thereon and independently of said piston and cylinder.

ROBERT C. OSGOOD. 

